Latest Developments

Negotiations on the fate of Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza as well as a ceasefire in the war-torn territory began in the Qatari capital Doha on August 15. An Israeli delegation led by Mossad director David Barnea flew to the Qatari capital, where it was due to meet with the country’s prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian spymaster Abbas Kamel, who have been serving as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli team also includes Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet security service, and Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, the chief hostage negotiator for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Also due to attend is CIA Director William Burns, who is expected to convey Washington’s interest in achieving a ceasefire that would return hostages from Gaza and calm those other fronts across the region from where Iranian-backed terrorist groups have been attacking Israel.

Hamas said this week that it would not take part in the talks, which are expected to last at least two days. However, the Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group — which has an office in Doha — will be receiving updates from the Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Expert Analysis

“Hamas is a cornered rat even as it pretends to have won some kind of victory. Trounced militarily in Gaza, its leadership dead or on the run, the Palestinian terrorist group senses that even its hosts and interlocutors in Qatar and Egypt are tiring of it. Now is the time to force Hamas into surrender and exile.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“There is a commonality between Hamas and Israel regarding their respective objectives in Doha. Hamas seeks the release of senior terrorists and other prisoners, while Israel aims to have hostages released who were taken captive on October 7. However, it remains uncertain whether the Jewish state is prepared to accept a weakened yet still governing Hamas in Gaza. One aspect is clear: the ongoing discussions in Doha represent the most serious and meaningful negotiations seen in the past 10 months, potentially paving the way to end the conflict.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Biden Proposal Under Discussion

Under discussion is a proposal, unveiled by President Joe Biden on May 31, for a three-phase deal that would suspend hostilities, withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, and free the 115 hostages who remain in Hamas captivity. Under such a deal, Israel would also free some jailed Palestinian terrorists, ramp up aid to civilians in Gaza, and enable the enclave’s reconstruction.

Unclarified sticking points in the outline have held up progress. Chief among these is the apparently irreconcilable gap between Israel’s intent to continue fighting after any truce until Hamas is defeated and the Hamas demand for a unilateral end of the Israeli offensive in Gaza. All sides are mindful of threats by Hamas’s sponsor, Iran, and its Lebanese terrorist ally Hezbollah, to carry out a major attack on Israel in retaliation for the assassinations this month of top terrorists in Beirut and Tehran. A Gaza truce could yet upend that threat, as Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies have previously offered to suspend their attacks on Israel if it relents against Hamas.

“Israel Strikes Hamas Rocket-Launching Post in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Terrorist Released Through Ceasefire Deal Strikes Again in West Bank,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Shuns New Talks on Gaza Ceasefire,” FDD Flash Brief